prof. RNDr. Ivo Šauman, Ph.D.

Member of the Science Board, Biology

Prof. Šauman is Head of the Molecular Biology and Genetics Dept. at the Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences. He also works as Head of Molecular Biology Dept. at the University of South Bohemia České Budějovice. His long-term research revolves around the ways in which animals (esp. insects) synchronize their biorhythms with environmental oscillations.

Professor Šauman's research focuses on circadian rhythms in animals and plants. Today, circadian rhythm disorders in humans are the cause of a number of serious diseases. The long-term goal of his research is to learn more about the cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating circadian rhythms. Results of his research have been published in various prestigious international journals, such as Genetics, Neuron or PLoS Biol.

Trivia:
"Professor Šauman received his Ph.D. in cellular biology in the United States and then went on to work at the famous laboratory under Prof. Steven M. Reppert, Harvard Faculty of Medicine. His research focused on biorhythms in insects. The discoveries he made with Reppert (1996) were so significant that they quickly earned comments from two of the most prestigious science journals - Science and Nature. Professor Šauman has received multiple offers to continue his research at Harvard, yet he still returned to České Budějovice." - Prof. Helena Illnerová, Vesmír magazine

prof. RNDr. Ivo Šauman, Ph.D.

"Why is science important? Because it keeps pushing mankind forward? Because without science, we wouldn't be who we are and where we are? Because even the path to knowledge can be one's life goal? I don't know. But I know that I couldn't imagine my life without science..."